Long trip to Ballyvourney ends up with an impressive win

Killavullen made the long journey to Colaiste Ghobnatan in Ballyvourney on Saturday evening to play Laochra Óg in the permultimate game, bar one in the U16 B2 Hurling league.

We had good form going into the game, having won our previous four games and that good form continued with another win, on a final score of 3-20 to 0-04.

On the night, as always we were numerically very tight, and had only 13 players and indeed we were looking over our shoulders just before the throw in, waiting for Mikey O Connor, who got stuck in traffic having been in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at the Tipperary game earlier in the day.

We started very brightly, and with Colm Looney now operating at full forward, and Mikey inspired by his viewing earlier in the day, or the Deano’s snack box that he kept talking about, we looked especially dangerous in the inside forward line. Colm raised two green flags in quick succession and a point from the same player. Eoin Birchill got another fine point after good initial work from Ben Hunter. Noah Butler converted a good score after a mesmerising run but at the back, James O Keeffe and Liam Fox somehow contrived to block a certain goal between them, after we had got caught with a ball in over our full back line to an inside forward who had stolen in there. Our half back line of Mark Nagle, Brian Cotter and Mikey Looney looked very accomplished on the night, with Brian in particular displaying his aerial ability under a high ball.

Our midfield was industrious and Noah and Fionn had the time to spray the ball about, and that ensured we got good scores. The scores continued from Eoin, and Ben, and Mikey and next up to score was Darragh O Grady who displayed goos strength, and made room for himself, to score. Mikey O Connor fired in another goal, after a heft clearance from Cian O Connor found him in a one on one situation with his man. Mikey jinked in way, then the other, lost his man, and scored his goal.

We led by 3-09 to 0-02 at the break.

Colm got the 1st score of the second period, followed by Mikey and we got a delightful score from Mark Nagle that proved that we were learning loads from the expert coaching of Charlie Lillis and Eoghan Buckley, and they , both with County medals in their back pockets now. This was a real team score, spraying the ball around with real zip, good control, and isolating the free man, who duly popped it over the bar. Fionn Magner got a point from distance, that merited his strong performance on the day, and the game concluded with further scores from Colm and Mikey, to run out impressive winners on a final tally of 3-20 to 0-04.

The facilities in the Colaiste were excellent and we appreciate the use of a fine pitch and environs, such as these. Loads of ideas for our own pitch such as the walk-way all around the entire pitch and outdoor gym facilities could be gleamed from the visit.